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Home > Mei Tais

Mei Tais

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A mei tai (pronounced may tie, not my tie) is a type of Asian-style cloth baby carrier whose simple design has stood the test of time for generations because it is practical, versatile, and durable. Variations on the basic mei tai design of a body panel and fabric straps have been used by mothers, grandmothers, and even siblings throughout East and Southeast Asia for centuries.

Modern mei tais have updated the traditional baby carrier with a wide range of appealing color and pattern choices, but the basic design of a body panel with two sets of straps remains the same. Mei tai baby carriers can be used from birth through toddlerhood and can be worn with baby facing the parent on the front or the back. (Some people even use them for hip carries, but the mei tai is best suited for front and back carries).

Don't be intimidated by the lack of buckles and the long straps -- if you can tie a knot, you can use a mei tai baby carrier! One set of straps ties on snugly around your waist, baby goes between your body and the panel, and the second set of straps crosses in an X across your back (for a front carry) or around your shoulders backpack-style (for a back carry) with the straps tying in another knot. Baby is securely held against your chest or back, with baby's weight distributed to your lower body and both shoulders, for a comfortable, hands-free carry. The long straps enable a custom fit with variations in tying locations. (But for safety and security, only tie full [square] knots, and no bows, please!)

The mei tai is a very simple baby carrier to adjust, making it a good choice for nursing on the go. Its long straps make it a great "one size fits most" choice for parents across the size spectrum who have a hard time finding a buckle carrier that fits very petite or very tall parents or who want to share one carrier. No buckles and no webbing means no re-adjusting between different wearers.

Sub-Categories

BabyHawk
Foldable headrest and stylish fabrics

CatBird Baby BE
Value-priced mei tai for forward-facing in or out, hip, or back carries

Kozy Carrier
Tall-bodied and supportive for newborns through toddlers